Amherst, Ohio is the hometown of my fictional characters--The Wilder Sisters. But it's actually my own hometown. I recently took a trip home to visit and see my dad. I wanted to share the trip with you!

Traveling to Amherst is like going back in time. While I haven't lived there in over 30 years, it will always be my home. Each time, I stop to visit Mr. O'Flanagan at Hot Dog Heaven for some fries with cheese. Mr. O used to be one of my teachers until he decided to open his own place. Hot Dog Heaven was the local hangout for everyone. Friends worked there and each time I'm in town, I stop to grab some food. This time, Mr. O and I talked books and I signed some postcards for him. It's fun that he still remembers me after all these years.

Driving through Amherst, you can see all the different homes and businesses built with sandstone. One of the biggest employers was Sandstone Quarries which was where many of my family worked. As employees, they were given a free tombstone from the local quarry. My dad told the story of how some of the old tombstones ended up being used for sidewalks and patios. In fact, one of my family's stone (he replaced his with marble) was found at a house where the owners believed their house was haunted by the children listed on the stone. :)

Spending time with my father is always a treat and we talked about family and town. Each trip is always too short to do all that I want to do and I didn't get to visit with everyone that I wanted to. I hope you enjoy the trip to Amherst and will stop to visit Amherst again in the Wilder Sisters Series....Forever Love, Beach Desires and A Christmas Accident.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! <3

Marianne Stephens

12/24/2013 09:47:30 am

You CAN go home for the holidays...it's just a little different when you're an adult. I always enjoyed going home...now it's my home my kids come to for traditional food and festivities.
Merry Christmas!

Melissa Keir

12/24/2013 02:12:17 pm

Amherst is so much of my heart that I can't seem to leave it. I still write about it and still visit the town. :) Thanks for stopping by and Merry Christmas!